EP1837545A1 - Clutch assistance system and automobile comprising such a system - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has an assistance unit (32) with a slide (38) sliding in a housing (39) and taking assistance and release positions, based on an effort applied to a clutch pedal (12). The slide establishes a fluid entry connection and seals a fluid draining connection, in the assistance position. The slide establishes the fluid draining connection and closes the fluid entry connection, in the release position. The fluid entry connection is formed by assembling of assistance and source pipes (40, 42) and the fluid draining connection is formed by assembling assistance and fluid tank pipes (40, 44).

Description

The present invention relates to a clutch assist system for a motor vehicle.

• un premier vérin comportant :
  • un carter,
  • un piston définissant, dans le carter, une chambre d'assistance et une chambre de sortie, la chambre d'assistance étant reliée avec une source de fluide sous pression par une liaison d'arrivée de fluide et avec un réservoir de fluide par une liaison d'évacuation de fluide,
  • un second vérin d'entraînement d'un système d'embrayage alimenté en fluide par la chambre de sortie du premier vérin,
  • une pédale d'embrayage reliée mécaniquement au piston du premier vérin pour entraîner ce dernier,
  • des moyens d'assistance comportant un tiroir distributeur coulissant dans une enveloppe et adapté pour prendre des première et deuxième positions successives, en fonction d'un effort appliqué à la pédale d'embrayage :
  • une première position dite d'assistance dans laquelle il établit la liaison d'arrivée de fluide, et obture la liaison d'évacuation de fluide, et
  • une deuxième position dite de relâche dans laquelle il établit la liaison d'évacuation de fluide.

The document FR-2 418 360 discloses a clutch assist system of the type comprising:

• a first cylinder comprising:
  • a housing,
  • a piston defining, in the housing, an assistance chamber and an outlet chamber, the assistance chamber being connected to a source of fluid under pressure by a fluid inlet connection and to a fluid reservoir via a connection fluid evacuation,
  • a second drive cylinder of a clutch system supplied with fluid by the outlet chamber of the first cylinder,
  • a clutch pedal mechanically connected to the piston of the first jack to drive the latter,
  • assistance means comprising a sliding slide valve in an envelope and adapted to take first and second successive positions, depending on a force applied to the clutch pedal:
  • a first so-called assist position in which it establishes the fluid inlet connection, and closes the fluid discharge connection, and
  • a second so-called release position in which it establishes the fluid discharge connection.

In this state of the art, a first conduit permanently connects the pump to the assistance chamber. The source of fluid under pressure is also connected to the fluid reservoir by a second conduit. The distributor drawer closes this second duct to carry out the assistance. It is disengaged from the second conduit in the release position, so that the second conduit bypasses the assistance chamber.

In a typical driving mode, the clutch pedal is almost always released, and therefore the dispenser drawer is almost always in the release position. However, in this position, the source of pressurized fluid is connected to the reservoir and provides a non-zero flow of fluid. It follows from this non-zero flow, premature wear of the pressurized fluid source, high energy consumption due to the fact that the pressure source is still active, problems of heating of the fluid which circulates continuously in a closed circuit, as well as great difficulty in using the pressure source to feed other parts of the vehicle.

The invention aims to overcome the above drawbacks by proposing a clutch assistance system, of the aforementioned type, characterized in that, in an intermediate position called equilibrium, the distributor drawer closes the connection between the chamber assistance and the fluid reservoir, to eliminate any hydraulic consumption when the pedal is maintained in an intermediate position, during maneuver or hill start for example. In addition, the pressure source is equipped with an accumulator for storing a reserve of fluid under pressure, and a pump control system to stop its operation when the pressure reserve is sufficient in the accumulator and to control its restart as soon as the pressure becomes insufficient.

Thanks to the invention, the spool valve also imposes a zero flow between the source of fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir through the clutch assistance system when the clutch pedal is released.

• le tiroir distributeur est adapté pour prendre une troisième position dite d'équilibre, intercalée entre les première et deuxième positions, dans laquelle il obture à la fois la liaison d'arrivée de fluide et la liaison d'évacuation de fluide ;
• les moyens d'assistance comportent des moyens d'entraînement du tiroir distributeur vers sa position d'assistance par une force d'entraînement dépendante de la force appliquée à la pédale d'embrayage ;
• les moyens d'assistance comportent un ressort de rappel générant, sur le tiroir distributeur, une force de rappel dirigée vers sa position de relâche ;
• les moyens d'assistance comportent des moyens de rappel générant, sur le tiroir distributeur, une force de rappel dirigée vers sa position de relâche, la force de rappel étant proportionnelle à la pression de la source de fluide sous pression ;
• le carter du premier vérin et l'enveloppe des moyens d'assistance sont solidaires l'un de l'autre et reliés entre eux par des canaux de passage de fluide ;;
• le carter du premier vérin et l'enveloppe des moyens d'assistance forment deux blocs distincts reliés entre eux par des conduites de passage de fluide ;
• le système comprend un clapet anti-retour monté sur une liaison de court-circuit reliant la liaison d'arrivée de fluide avec le réservoir de fluide et orienté pour permettre une décharge de fluide depuis le réservoir de fluide vers la liaison d'arrivée de fluide ; et
• le système comprend un contrôle et de pilotage de la pression fournis par la source de fluide sous pression aux moyens d'assistance.

A clutch assist system according to the invention may further include one or more of the following features:

• the spool valve is adapted to take a third so-called equilibrium position, interposed between the first and second positions, in which it closes both the fluid inlet connection and the fluid discharge connection;
• the assistance means comprise means for driving the dispenser spool to its assist position by a driving force dependent on the force applied to the clutch pedal;
• the assistance means comprise a return spring generating, on the distributor slide, a restoring force directed towards its release position;
• the assistance means comprise return means generating, on the distributor slide, a restoring force directed towards its release position, the return force being proportional to the pressure of the source of fluid under pressure;
• the housing of the first cylinder and the envelope of the assistance means are integral with each other and interconnected by fluid passage channels ;;
• the casing of the first cylinder and the envelope of the assistance means form two separate blocks interconnected by fluid passage conduits;
• the system comprises a non-return valve mounted on a short-circuit connection connecting the fluid inlet connection with the fluid reservoir and oriented to allow fluid discharge from the fluid reservoir to the fluid inlet connection ; and
• the system includes pressure control and control provided by the source of pressurized fluid to the assistance means.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising the preceding clutch assistance system.

• la figure 1 est un schéma de principe d'un système d'assistance à l'embrayage selon l'invention, et
• les figures 2 à 4 sont des vues en coupe de trois modes de réalisation du schéma de principe de la figure 1.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a clutch assistance system according to the invention, and
• Figures 2 to 4 are sectional views of three embodiments of the block diagram of Figure 1.

The clutch assistance system 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a clutch pedal 12, a driving cylinder 14 for driving a clutch system 16 and an assist cylinder 18 connecting the pedal of the clutch. clutch 12 to the receiver cylinder 14.

The assistance jack 18 comprises a housing 20 delimiting two coaxial cylinders 20A, 20B of different radii placed end to end. The cylinder of larger radius is said large cylinder 20A, while the other is said small cylinder 20B.

A piston 22 is mounted in the housing 20. The piston 22 comprises a disc 22A slidably mounted in the large cylinder 20A and a thick rod 22B integral with the disc 22A, slidably mounted in the small cylinder 20B. The piston 22 defines, in the casing 20, on one side, an assistance chamber 24 and, on the other hand, an outlet chamber 26.

The assistance chamber 24 is delimited in the large cylinder 20A by the disc 22A, while the outlet chamber 26 is defined in the small cylinder 20B by the rod 22B.

The clutch pedal 12 is mechanically connected to the disc 22A of the piston 22, opposite the rod 22B, via a linkage 28. Thus, the application of a force on the clutch pedal 12 causes the piston 22 to slide in the housing 20.

The assistance cylinder 18 also comprises a return spring 30 of the piston 22 extending in the outlet chamber 26. In a variant, the return spring 30 is not present or is placed in the cylinder 20A.

The clutch assisting system 10 also comprises clutch assisting means 32 adapted to selectively perform separation or connection with a source of pressurized fluid 34 or with a fluid reservoir 36. .

The assistance means to the clutch 32 comprise a slide valve 38 sliding in an envelope 39, delimited by a discontinuous closed line. One side of the dispenser spool 38 is connected to the assistance chamber 24 via a conduit 40, called the assistance duct, while another lateral side of the dispenser spool 38 is connected to the pressure source 34 and to the fluid reservoir. 36 respectively by a conduit 42, said fluid source conduit, and a conduit 44, said fluid reservoir conduit.

Thus, the assistance chamber 24 is connected to the fluid source 34 by a fluid inlet connection formed by the meeting of the assistance ducts 40 and the fluid source 42. Similarly, it is connected to the reservoir fluid by a fluid discharge connection formed by the joining of the assistance conduits 40 and the fluid reservoir 44.

The pressure source 34 comprises a pump drawing fluid from the reservoir 36 and supplying this fluid at a defined pressure and flow rate. The application of this pressure on the piston 22A thus generates an assistance force.

The slide valve 38 has three successive compartments 38A, 38B, 38C along its sliding. Each compartment 38A, 38B, 38C fixes a connection configuration between, on the one hand, the assistance duct 40 and, on the other hand, the source 42 and reservoir 44 ducts.

The first compartment 38A, said assistance compartment, connects the conduit 40 with the conduit 42, but closes the conduit 44.

The second compartment 38B, said equilibrium compartment, closes the three ducts 40, 42, 44.

The third compartment 38C, called the release compartment, connects the assistance duct 40 to the tank duct 44 and closes the source duct 42.

• une position d'assistance dans laquelle il établit la liaison d'arrivée de fluide 40, 42 et obture la liaison d'évacuation de fluide 40, 44 ;
• une position d'équilibre dans laquelle il obture à la fois la liaison d'arrivée de fluide 40, 42 et la liaison d'évacuation de fluide 40, 44 ; et
• une position de relâche dans laquelle il établit la liaison d'évacuation de fluide 40, 44 et obture la liaison d'arrivée de fluide 40, 42.

Thus, the dispenser drawer 38 is movable between three successive positions:

• an assist position in which it establishes the fluid inlet connection 40, 42 and closes the fluid discharge connection 40, 44;
• an equilibrium position in which it closes both the fluid inlet connection 40, 42 and the fluid discharge connection 40, 44; and
• a release position in which it establishes the fluid discharge connection 40, 44 and closes the fluid inlet connection 40, 42.

In Figure 1, the dispenser drawer 38 is shown in the release position.

The spool valve 38 is driven towards its assisting position, that is to say to the right in FIG. 1, by a piston of a drive jack 64 connected to the outlet chamber 26 via a pipe 49 to be fed with fluid. The drive cylinder 64 thus generates a driving force dependent on the force applied on the clutch pedal 12.

Furthermore, the dispensing spool 38 is driven towards its release position, that is to say to the left in FIG. 1, by a piston of a return cylinder 66 and a return spring 52. In a variant, the return spring 52 is not present. The return cylinder 66 is connected to the assistance duct 40 by a conduit 53 for supplying fluid.

The drive cylinder 64 and the return cylinder 66 are detailed in the following figures.

The assistance system furthermore comprises means for controlling and controlling or regulating the pressure and / or the flow rate supplied by the fluid source to the assistance means. The means for controlling and controlling regulator 54 is mounted on the source duct 42.

The means of control and regulation or regulation of pressure and / or flow rate 54 makes it possible to use a pressure source 34 shared between different members such as power steering, suspension, etc.

A hydraulic accumulator 55 is also provided on the source duct 42. The hydraulic accumulator 55 makes it possible to store a volume of hydraulic fluid under pressure. This reserve of pressurized volume available for assistance makes it possible to stop the pump 34, via the means 54, when a sufficient pressure is reached in the hydraulic accumulator 55. In the case of a disengagement, the hydraulic accumulator 55 supplies the pressure needed for assistance. When the pressure in the accumulator reaches an insufficient pressure threshold, the pump 34 is restarted, through the means 54, until a sufficient pressure threshold is reached. This system makes it possible to use the pump 34 only when the pedal 12 is stressed and reduces the response time of the pressure source to zero thanks to an always available assistance pressure, in the accumulator 55 even when pump 34 is not in operation.

For safety reasons, the assistance system also comprises a non-return valve (or bypass valve) 56, mounted on a bypass duct 58 connecting the duct 42 with the fluid reservoir 36. This valve 56 is oriented from in order to allow fluid discharge from the fluid reservoir 36 to the conduit 42.

Thus, in the event of a malfunction of the pump 34, and of absence of assist pressure in the hydraulic accumulator 55, there is no risk of a cavitation phenomenon occurring in the assistance chamber 24 when the dispensing spool 38 is in the assistance position and a force is applied on the clutch pedal 12.

With reference to FIG. 2, the pedal 12 and the assembly of the assistance jack 18 and the assistance means 32 are located on either side of a cockpit apron 60, through which the linkage 28 passes.

In this embodiment, the casing 20 of the jack 18 and the casing 39 of the assistance means 32 are integral with one another, formed in a single block referenced 62.

This block 62 delimits the two cylinders 20A, 20B of the assistance cylinder 18, as well as two coaxial cylinders 39A, 39B of different radii placed end to end, constituting the envelope 39 for receiving the slide 38. The cylinder of larger radius is said large cylinder 39A, while the other cylinder is said small cylinder 39B. The two cylinders 39A, 39B define a receiving volume of the spool valve 38. In FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the large cylinder 39A is longer than the small cylinder 39B, in other embodiments it may be more short.

The assistance duct 40 is placed in the block 62 and connects the chamber 24 to the large cylinder 39A receiving the dispenser drawer 38, opening substantially in the middle of the volume.

The distributor slide 38 comprises a piston 64 sliding in the small cylinder 39B for receiving the slide 38 and delimiting a drive chamber 65 into which the conduit 49 opens.

The distributor slide 38 comprises a piston 66 sliding in the large cylinder 39A for receiving the slide 38 and delimiting a return chamber 67, in which the return spring 52 is arranged. The conduit 53 opens into the return chamber 67. two pistons 64, 66 are interconnected by an axial rod 68, on which is fixed, substantially halfway between the two pistons 64, 66, a distributor piston 70 sliding in the large cylinder 39A.

The three pistons 64, 66, 70 and the rod 68 connecting them, form the slide valve 38. The three compartments 38A, 38B, 38C consist respectively of the axial spacing between the driving piston 64 and the distributor piston 70, by the distributor piston 70 itself, and by the axial spacing between the distributor piston 70 and the return piston 66.

Thus, the three positions of the spool valve 38 correspond to three positions of the delivery piston 70 vis-à-vis the mouth of the assistance duct 40, depending on whether the dispensing piston 70 closes or is on one side or the other. other of the assistance duct 40.

In order to control the movements of the slide valve 38, it is necessary to have comparable drive and return forces, that is to say of the same order of magnitude. However, this is not the case of the pressures used, provided, on the one hand, by the source 34 and, on the other hand, by the outlet chamber 26. To overcome this problem, the pistons 64, 66, 70 define thrust surfaces with the fluid which are sized to properly adjust the drive and return forces applied to the spool valve 38.

With reference to FIG. 3, the second embodiment is distinguished from the first in that the casing 20 and the casing 39 form two distinct blocks. The envelope 39 defines the rolls 39A, 39B for receiving the slide 38. The assistance conduits 40, return 53 and drive 49 are then made in the form of tubes connecting the two separate blocks.

With reference to FIG. 4, the third embodiment is distinguished from the first embodiment in that the control of the distributor slide 38 is ensured solely by the return spring 52. No pilot duct 53 is thus formed in the block 62.

Claims (10)

Clutch assist system, of the type comprising: a first jack (18) comprising: a housing (20), a piston (22) defining, in the housing (20), an assistance chamber (24) and an outlet chamber (26), the assistance chamber (24) being connected to a source of fluid under pressure ( 34) by a fluid supply connection (40, 42) and a fluid reservoir (36) via a fluid discharge connection (40, 44), a second jack (14) for driving a clutch system (16) supplied with fluid by the outlet chamber (26) of the first jack (18), - a clutch pedal (12) mechanically connected to the piston (22) of the first jack (18), to drive the latter, - assistance means (32) comprising a slide valve (38) sliding in an envelope (39) and adapted to take first and second successive positions, depending on a force applied to the clutch pedal (12) : a first so-called assistance position in which it establishes the fluid supply connection (40, 42), and closes the fluid discharge connection (40, 44), and a second so-called release position in which it establishes the fluid discharge connection (40, 44), characterized in that , in the release position, the spool valve (38) closes the fluid supply connection (40, 42). Clutch assistance system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the distributor slide (38) is adapted to take a third so-called equilibrium position, interposed between the two previous ones, in which it closes both the link fluid inlet (40, 42) and the fluid outlet connection (40, 44). Clutch assistance system according to Claim 2, characterized in that the assistance means (32) comprise means (64) for driving the distributor slide (38) towards its assist position by means of a driving force dependent on the force applied to the clutch pedal (12). Clutch assistance system according to claim 3, characterized in that the assistance means (32) comprise a return spring (52) generating, on the distributor slide (38), a return force directed towards its release position. Clutch assistance system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the assistance means (32) comprise return means (66) generating, on the distributor slide (38), a return force directed towards its release position, the return force being proportional to the pressure of the source of pressurized fluid (34). Clutch assistance system according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the housing (20) of the first cylinder (18) and the casing (39) of the assistance means (32) are integral with each other and interconnected by fluid passage channels. Clutch assistance system according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the casing (20) of the first jack (18) and the casing (39) of the assisting means (32) form two separate blocks interconnected by fluid passage ducts. Assistance system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a non-return valve (or bypass valve) (56) mounted on a bypass connection (58) connecting the incoming link fluid (40, 42) with the fluid reservoir (36) and oriented to allow fluid discharge from the fluid reservoir (36) to the fluid supply connection (40, 42). Assistance system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for controlling and controlling (54) the pressure and the flow rate supplied by the source of fluid under pressure (34) to the assistance means (32). Motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a clutch assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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